Auburn vs. Penn State Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

2 minute read

Sept. 18, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Auburn Tigers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Predictions

Score Prediction - Penn State 27, Auburn 23

Auburn is dealing with the early season stigma of not playing anyone as they head into a monster battle at Beaver Stadium. The Tigers come in ranked but untested as they ripped through a couple of cupcakes. Don’t get too caught up in that as Bo Nix and the offense around him had zero issues.

They should use the warm-up games as means to build off the improved expectations of where they are ranked this week. It’s a sobering reminder – walking into Beaver Stadium and facing that PSU defense - of how far away Auburn is from competing for a playoff spot. Nix is going to be pressured and harassed all day but won’t be rattled. It’s just the kids around Nix who should be concerned.

PSU will be more than happy to entertain a defensive struggle, it’s what they are built for this year. James Franklin and his new offense looked better against Ball State than Wisconsin, as Sean Clifford has things under control. Penn State boasts a couple of running backs around Clifford as it’s been enough to help balance a decent aerial attack.

The problem for PSU will be how aggressive and talented the Tigers defense is, making this a race to the fewest turnovers. It’s not Nix vs. Clifford so much as which defense gets the first – and ultimately most – turnover. As great as Auburn’s defense looked against two awful football teams, they will get the proper recognition after standing up Saturday at Happy Valley.

PSU’s defense is just on another level right now, with plenty to shut down Nix. Neither of their previous opponents so far could do a thing against PSU and that won’t really change much come Saturday.

(AP)

Auburn Tigers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Best Bets

Auburn +6.5

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Auburn Tigers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Game Odds

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Auburn Tigers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Resources

Matchup: SEC vs. Big 10
Venue: Beaver Stadium
Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
TV-Time: ABC - 7:30 p.m. ET

Auburn Tigers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Analysis

The total went over twice for Auburn because they blew out terrible football programs, meanwhile the PSU defense is tested two times over. It’s gone under in each of Penn State’s games and should again on Saturday. Auburn inflated their totals outscoring teams 122-10 but won’t have anywhere near the same level of success on offense. Their defense will, however, be able to keep PSU out of the endzone.

Auburn Tigers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends

Auburn has seen the favorite cover the spread in nine straight games.
Penn State has gone UNDER the point total in four straight games when playing in September.